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I'm getting into funk...

Discussion in 'Technique [BG]' started by Gord_oh, Apr 15, 2012.

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  1. Apr 15, 2012 #1
    Gord_oh

    Gord_oh Midtown Guitars: Ulyate Pickups & StringJoy Commercial User

    Oct 4, 2008
    Michigan
    I primarily play all genres of rock, from classic to alternative, but I am getting into funk style music lately. We have a motown station on pandora at work and I find myself grooving in my seat when I hear a good bass line. I live where Grand Funk Railroad got started, so maybe it's just in the air.

    Give me some funk/motown type bass lines to learn and groove to. I am not a very advanced technical player. I can play finger or pick style. I am hoping that branching out into different genres I can improve my technique and apply it to everything I play. I did just pick up a Zoom B3, so I will have a full arsenal of effects at my disposal, as well as a recording capability with the audio interface it has.
     
  2. Apr 15, 2012 #2
    Stranger Danger

    Stranger Danger Feel Like A Stranger Supporting Member

    Jan 3, 2010
    Denver, CO
    Cissy Strut - The Meters
    Pusherman - Curtis Mayfield
    Use Me - Bill Withers
     
  3. Apr 15, 2012 #3
    Gord_oh

    Gord_oh Midtown Guitars: Ulyate Pickups & StringJoy Commercial User

    Oct 4, 2008
    Michigan
    all songs i groove to at work.
    ;)

    I just picked up a new Squier VM 5 string and that Zoom B3 so I think I will possibly record a few if I can.
     
  4. Apr 15, 2012 #4
    jmattbassplaya

    jmattbassplaya Supporting Member

    Jan 13, 2008
    You're definitely going to want to check out some Jamiroquai.
     
  5. Apr 15, 2012 #5
    Gord_oh

    Gord_oh Midtown Guitars: Ulyate Pickups & StringJoy Commercial User

    Oct 4, 2008
    Michigan
    been there, done that.
    some of my favorites. :hyper:
     
  6. Apr 15, 2012 #6
    vin*tone

    vin*tone

    Oct 19, 2008
    Ballaarat, Ostraya
  7. Apr 15, 2012 #7
    onosson

    onosson

    Nov 22, 2010
    Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
    Check out Betty Davis w/ Larry Graham on bass (along with a killer lineup) on her self-titled album.
     
  8. Apr 15, 2012 #8
    Mushroo

    Mushroo Guest

    Apr 2, 2007
    There are some great Francis Rocco Prestia: Fingerstyle Funk lessons on Youtube. :)
     
  9. Apr 15, 2012 #9
    Finsterino

    Finsterino

    Mar 8, 2007
    Florida
    Check out all the old motown classics. James Jamerson on many of them.
     
  10. Apr 15, 2012 #10
    onosson

    onosson

    Nov 22, 2010
    Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
    Oh, and of course hit up the James Brown catalog. The compilation Star Time is great, especially discs 2 & 3 IMO.
     
  11. Apr 15, 2012 #11
    bass12

    bass12 Have You Met Grace Jones?

    Jun 8, 2008
    Montreal, Canada
    Some specific songs:

    "Groove Me" - King Floyd
    "School Boy Crush" - Average White Band
    "Mr. Big Stuff" - Jean Knight
    "Thank You (Fa Lettin...) - Sly & The Family Stone
    "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" - McFadden & Whitehead
    "Just A Touch Of Love" and "Slide" - Slave
    "Last Night A DJ Saved My Life" - Indeep
    "If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)" - Me'shell Ndegéocello
     
  12. Apr 15, 2012 #12
    Starrchild

    Starrchild

    Nov 10, 2000
    The Bay.
    Parliament/Funkedelic.
    Boosty.
    Cameo.
     
  13. Apr 15, 2012 #13
    aguacateojos

    aguacateojos

    Jul 9, 2010
    Massachusetts
    Do yourself a favor - listen to Lettuce. See them live, marvel at the tightness that is Adam Deitch on drums.
     
  14. Apr 15, 2012 #14
    bassfran

    bassfran Supporting Member

    Mar 1, 2012
    Chicago
    Endorsing artist: Lakland basses
    +1000

    That James Brown guy was pretty good, too. :cool:
     
  15. Apr 15, 2012 #15
    Jazzdogg

    Jazzdogg Less barking, more wagging!

    Jul 29, 2006
    San Diego, CA
  16. Apr 15, 2012 #16
    Mystic Michael

    Mystic Michael Hip No Ties

    Apr 1, 2004
    New York, NY
    For the record, Grand Funk Railroad was "funk" in name only. They played rock. Just rock.

    Strictly speaking, Motown isn't funk. It's rhythm & blues (R&B) - a closely-related genre to be sure, but not exactly funk per se.

    That is all... :meh:

    MM
     
  17. Apr 15, 2012 #17
    jkramer5

    jkramer5

    Jul 14, 2008
    Fairfield, CA
    Google search:

    Lettuce, Pleasure, Average White Band, Steely Dan, especially Asia and Royal Scam albums, The Crusaders, SLAVE, Brick, Con Funk Shun, Dexter Wansel, Fat Larry's Band, Fatback, Fred Wesley, George Duke, Heatwave, Jermaine Jackson's solo records (the mid to late 70's stuff especially), Lakeside, Maceo Parker (southwick/shake everything you got), Tower Of Power, The Memphis Horns, Big Cheese All Stars, R.A.D. (from oakland, killer killer bass player) that should keep you plenty busy.

    Another tip is to create a pandora station off of any one of those artists and you'll get a killer variety.
     
  18. Apr 15, 2012 #18
    howardkohler

    howardkohler

    Jan 7, 2012
    Denver
    A couple of my favorites:

    Soul With a Capital "S" - Tower of Power
    The Jam - Graham Central Station

    You also might check out playbassnow.com. It's run by a Danish guy whose handle is Marlowe DK. The site has a ton of slap/funk lessons.

    Good luck!
     
  19. Apr 15, 2012 #19
    VitalSigns

    VitalSigns

    May 8, 2011
    Central NY
    Perfect. I was just about to make a thread like this.
     
  20. Apr 15, 2012 #20
    DONZI97

    DONZI97

    Dec 24, 2008
    Algonac Michigan
    I like the Meters as a good starting point in funk, pretty stripped down, but man does Porter groove.
     
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